Flood scene still grim in Assam, death toll touches 39

More than 90 people have died in Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, U.P and Arunachal Pradesh floods due to deluge caused by rains. But those floods didn't stop Assam from celebrating Independence Day beside having Knee High water in their schools and on Public roads.

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that Prime Minister Modi was himself keeping a close watch on the flood situation in Bihar and he also apprised Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh of the situation during the day.

"In the eastern state of Bihar, the floods have killed 56 people since Sunday and affected almost seven million, " State Disaster Management Official, Pratyay Amrit, said. Over 10 lakh people have been badly affected and a lot of them have been taking their rescue in the relief camps. Three columns of Army were deployed in flood-hit Katihar district for the relief and rescue operation. The ASDMA said heavy erosion was witnessed in Chirang and Biswanath districts. Officials said the embankments which have been breached need repairs.

Sonowal would likely to hold discussion with the line departments in New Delhi to study the course of the river Brahmaputra and carry out dredging throughout the entire course of the river from Sadiya to Dhubri.

Besides drawing the attention of the Prime Minister on the destruction caused by the flood affecting almost 34 lakh people, Mr Sonowal would also discuss the probable modus operandi for thrashing out a permanent solution to flood and erosion. The respective DMs need to inspect flood affected areas & quicken rescue & relief operation ensuring security in relief camps. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an aerial survey of flood affected areas in Uttar Pradesh. The affected districts are Malda, South and North Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, Alipurdura, Cooch Behar and to some extent Darjeeling. A total of 622 relief camps were set up with government aid, while almost 800 of such camps were set up by various NGOs, he added. Four thousand people were evacuated to safer places yesterday.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted sharply to a reported statement by a Union minister and said providing relief to the flood-hit people was the "first priority" of the state government.

He informed that all passengers entering north east and stranded at Katihar station have availed train services up to Malda town, from where they left for their destinations by train or road.

The Eastern Railway cancelled 14 mail and express trains today. The floodwater has also inundated railways tracks, leading to cancellation, diversion and short termination of train services in Assam.

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